Tzotzil Man's Coton, Zinacantan, Chiapas

Product Description

Lightly used traditional man's overshirt measuring 31 inches wide and 28 inches longThis is a very finely woven man's coton or overshirt from Zinacantan, Chiapas, a Tzotzil Maya community. It probably dates from the 1970s or 1980s. It was woven in two panels, then joined down the center. The lower edges are finished with a warp fringe about 2 inches long. The seems where the panels have been joined are very finely hand-stitched in white thread; the sides are sewn together only at the points where the fancy tassels are attached. The foundation fabric is fine cotton, alternating red and white warps to give an overall light red color to the background. The designs in the horizontal band at the bottom were added during the weaving process using supplemental weft brocading. It is all of colored cotton thread. The patterned square designs on the sides were added using either very fine needle embroidery or a complicated supplemental-warp technique with which I am not familiar.

This garment probably dates from the 1970s or 1980s. It is in very good condition, with no wear and perhaps some very slight soil and sun-fading.

Dimensions: width 31 inches and total length shoulder to hem 28 inches. The designs are the same on the two sides .

Condition: Very Good, lightly used, some slight soil and very mild sun-fading. This is a very nice and traditional garment.